You can never start too early with school prep, so if you want to tick shoes off the list, we’ve done the hard work for you. Whether you’re after a diddy first pair of shoes for your new-starter or looking for some tween-approved treads for secondary school kids, our round up of the best school shoes has got you covered. Getting the sizing right is crucial, particularly as school shoes are worn so often. I’d recommend getting your child’s foot measured properly in store (most shoe shops offer this service for free) or use an online guide to measure at home. Always fit to the larger foot and leave around 1.5cm space between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe, to prevent toes getting squashed. The goal is to find a pair of school shoes that your child will grow out of before they destroy them, so look for styles that are robust enough to handle whatever the school day throws their way. Scuff-resistant designs, and durable soles are all worth their weight in gold.Depending on the age of your child, they will have different priorities when it comes to the perfect school shoe, but I’m sure one thing they will all agree on is that the shoes have to feel comfy. Features like padded ankle cuffs, breathable materials and wide toe boxes are all things to look out for. Also, if you’re shopping for little kids, it’s best to go for easy on/off fastenings like Velcro straps, and leave the laces until they can master these independently.As a mum of two school-aged kids, I’ve bought a lot of school shoes over the years – some that have lasted far better than others – but every pair here get my (and my testers’) seal of approval.Read more: Best kids and baby clothing brands to know in 2026My mini testers put a range of styles through their paces (Sarah Dawson/The Independent)Best overall – Clarks Lock Magic: £46, Clarks.comBest budget buy – Asda George Black Leather Double Strap School Shoes: £18, Asda.comBest for durability – Start-Rite rhino Sherman: £65, Startriteshoes.comBest lightweight – Young Soles Rosie T-Bar: £68, Youngsoles.comBest barefoot style – BGreater Henson: £46, Bgreatershoes.comRead more: Best kids’ headphones